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Anton Rasmussen: Painter - "Abstractions from Nature"

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Episodes:

• Abstract Expressionism and "Controlled Spontaneity"

  Painter Tony Rasmussen discusses his interest and understanding of Japanese aesthetic philosophy and its concept of universality based on the similarities in pattern found throughout nature, from small to large scales. He explains how he sees a relationship between these ideas and contemporary art, especially Abstract Expressionist, and the notion of "controlled spontaneity." He continues to work on his large canvas, pouring or splattering paint and spreading it around using a piece of fabric.

  Length:	00:01:42

• Nature Can Provide Inspiration for Abstract Art

  Painter Tony Rasmussen explains that artists must identify what visually inspires them before they can paint. He discusses his own fascination with the microscopic world and its organic forms and how, as an art student, he identified their visual characteristics of shallow space and depth of focus. He used those ideas to create imaginary forms, ultimately realizing how similar these forms were to those found in aerial landscapes. Rasmussen begins work on a large canvas, pouring paint, spreading it around with his bare hands and pouring paint thinner directly onto the canvas.

  Length:	00:02:17

• Pouring, Splattering and Manipulating Paint to Create an Abstract Painting

  Painter Tony Rasmussen applies paint to his canvas by pouring or splattering it directly onto the canvas and by then pouring on paint thinner to move the paint around. He then manipulates the paint both with brushes and his bare hands. When the background imagery is complete, he uses a knife and a rag to scrap and polish the surface of the canvas. Finally, using paint brushes, he adds details and other final touches to the painting.

  Length:	00:03:06

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